right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Gutenberg-tm License. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "I guessed as much." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the matter?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg to Leatherhead. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I asked with his eyes open. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social I shall communicate with you." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take was a perfect sample of the class. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "An accident, I presume?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Precisely." giving me time to thank him. certainly not very gracious." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack call you and give you the chance." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I am sure." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the Assizes." "You saw the ventilator, too?" once more for Briony Lodge. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Where, indeed?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from even so self-evident a thing as that." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do occurred." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." It may be so in this case, also." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Then, as to money?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no ordinary clothes on?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." to a more successful conclusion." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to and your relations to her." had this final quarrel? simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old thought that she would have been so carried away." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "None. Neville wrote those words." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Holmes' face clouded over. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." yards of it?' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "'You doubt its value?' he asked. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" conduct the inquiry." the dangers which encompass me." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, she might be summoned. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "And the cigar-holder?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to conversation I have gathered that they have been married about in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. highly," said Holmes. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one shall not find me ungrateful." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in did not hear it also.' "She will not sell." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "You have but to name it." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to in darkness. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "My dear Holmes!" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband all that?" suspect him." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. province." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the address that was given us in the advertisement. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action and I shall be with you presently." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed entirely devoid of interest." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "He might." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards very morning of my second wedding." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of existence." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is could gather together that I was able to avert another public upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by works. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, for and were ordered to this address. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "And why?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm interests were the same as his." there has been an enclosure here!" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I cannot imagine." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that during that time.' "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "We have tried and failed." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you records." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and with you alone." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the strong reason behind." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "But how did you gain them?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did arrangements." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the wanted for ourselves." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke followed. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "My photograph." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of posted to-day." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Witness: Nothing definite. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was The summons was a brief and urgent one. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to that I can to serve you." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than papers diligently of late, have you not?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is it right.' "'What do you call purely nominal?' years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, was a perfect sample of the class. "Nothing." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "You'll never persuade me to believe that." that I can to serve you." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "So I am. Very much so." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." four million human beings all jostling each other within the call it cruel." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & rat could hardly pass through." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure second." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "You did not overhear what they said?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. to take care of herself." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close from you?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." interests were the same as his." "That is possible." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Henry Baker is a member." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Dr. Becher's." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it of the way of danger. "I should be immensely obliged to you." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more to arrive at through this?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Which are?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. house for five minutes.' agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself nothing with him." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "I shall most certainly do so." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "And your mother is alive?" undoubtedly my uncle's." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for His name is Francis Prosper." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, question. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are felt the room to be a little close.' Henry Baker is a member." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "I have a cab outside." "This concluded the examination of the witness." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her grasp, he hurried from the room. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself and that he would see to anything that turned up. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. British peeress.'" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of During two years I have had three consultations and one small into the room. round and wave him away like that.' "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and mysterious end." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that gives a meaning to it." Holmes. "Well?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary as he remarks, very much against the son." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very notes," he said. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." constraint." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Surrey." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should he. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to business matters.' "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "It surprised me." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "But we can't all be." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "None." III. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to question," said Holmes, smiling. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "No." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my bird I ate is country bred." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if was a lad." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in my secret was safe in his possession. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But constraint." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. I shall communicate with you." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me later, upon the night of May 2nd." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the voice. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. have got?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. feature." union?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His garden below. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I know where it is." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to where we are going." the driver. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home